Ignaz Assmayer

Ignaz Assmayer

An Austrian musician, born at Salzburg, 11 February, 1790; died in
Vienna, 31 August, 1862. He studied under Brunmayr and Michael Haydn,
and later, when he went to Vienna, he received further instruction from
Eybler. In 1808 he was organist at St. Peter's in his native town, and
here he wrote his oratorio "Die Sündfluth" (The Deluge) and his
cantata "Worte der Weihe". Some time after his removal to Vienna, in
1815, he became choirmaster at the Schotten kirche, and in 1825 was
appointed imperial organist. After having served eight years as
vice-choirmaster, he received in 1846 the appointment of second
choir-master to the Court, as successor to Weigl. His principal
oratorios, "Das Gelübde", "Saul und David", and "Sauls Tod", were
repeatedly performed by the
Tonkünstler-Societät, of which he was conductor for
fifteen years. He also wrote fifteen masses, two requiems, a Te Deum,
and various smaller church pieces. Of these two oratorios, one mass,
the requiems, and Te Deum, and furthermore sixty secular compositions,
comprising symphonies, overtures, pastorales, etc., were published. As
to his style Grove calls it correct and fluent, but wanting in both
invention and force.